|
Incidents, Messages, Orders, Etc.
|
| 1 February 1944 |
| Kingston Bagpuize |
|
| AIRPORT PROJECT
Co. A,
One platoon working on road near north end of airport.
Two platoons working on road near south end of airport. Remainder of company
working on grading.
Co. B,
One platoon of this company working on construction of
runway. Second and third platoons working on construction of Butler Hanger.
Co. C,
First platoon working on road construction, central portion
of Airport, grading and preparing for concrete forms. Second platoon are
preparing for blister Hangers.
Third platoon working on runway, leveling and drainage.
H&S CO.
On staff and service functions.
A.D.E. and S-3 Sections working and surveying airport
area.
We had a nice clear day with even sunshine for a change. |
|
| 2 February 1944 |
| Kingston Bagpuize |
|
| AIRPORT PROJECT
Co. A,
First platoon working on road construction at north end
of airport. Second and Third platoon working on south end.
Co. B,
First Platoon working on construction of runway. Second
and third platoon working on construction of Butler Hanger.
Co. C,
First Platoon working on road construction on central
portion, leveling and preparing for concrete forms. Second platoon preparing
for Blister Hanger. Third Platoon working on leveling and drainage.
H&S Co.
On Staff and Service Functions.
A.D.E. & S-3 section surveying airport.
Slightly cloudy yet warm today. |
|
| 3 February 1944 |
| Kingston Bagpuize |
|
| AIRPORT PROJECT
Co. A,
Entire company working on road construction.
Co. B,
Entire company working on Butler Hangers.
Co. C,
First Platoon working on road constr. and leveling, preparing
for concrete forms. Second and Third platoon making preparations for erecting
Blister Hanger.
H&S Co.,
Staff and Service Functions.
Today was cloudy and windy and somewhat cold. |
|
| 4 February 1944 |
| Kingston, Bagpuize |
|
| AIRPORT PROJECT
Co. A,
Two platoons grading, laying concrete forms and pouring
concrete on southern end of new road into airport. The remainder of Co.
is digging french drains along runway, #2.
Co. B,
Two platoons erecting Butler Hanger #2 Using two cranes
that were borrowed from the 342nd Engrs. Remainder of Company
clearing mud from the runways.
Co. C,
One platoon on central portion of new road laying forms
and pouring concrete. One platoon excavating and making concrete forms
for the foundation of Blister Hanger #1. Remainder of Company clearing
mud and digging french drains along runway #2
H&S Co.,
S-3 and A.D.E. SECTION, surveying Road and Hangers. Remainder
of company on Staff and Service functions. Today being a windy day it hampered
work on all parts of the Airport.
The mud is drying which will help construction.
Aside from the wind it was a nice clear day. |
|
| 5 February 1944 |
| Kingston Bagpuize |
|
| AIRPORT PROJECT
The disposition of the Platoons and the work is the same
as Friday the 4th of Feb. 44, however it's a much pleasanter
day. Sun is shining and getting warmer. The mud is drying considerable
and makes working condition much better. There are going to be three blister
hangers and two Butler hangers at the Airport. The 342nd Engr.
Regt. is supposed to erect the first Butler hanger and Company "B" of our
Battalion is erecting the second one. Our Battalion will erect the Blister
Hangers, one of wood and two of prefabricated steel. |
|
| 6 February 1944 |
| Kingston Bagpuize |
|
| AIRPORT PROJECT
Today there were very few men working on the Airport in
view of the fact that today is Sunday. The S-3 section had most of their
men working so that the battalion would have everything set up in the morning.
Most of the Battalion either went to church of slept till
a late hour as today was a day of rest. A convoy was sent to Oxford for
recreational purposes in the afternoon. The day was clear and cold, colder
than we ever expected it to be here in this damp country. |
|
| 7 February 1944 |
| Kingstson Bagpuize |
|
| AIRPORT PROJECT
After a restful Sunday the men were eager to start off
even though some think of it as a blue Monday.
Co. A,
Two platoons laying forms and pouring concrete on Southern
end of new road. Remainder of the company clearing mud from runways and
brushing sand in the Pierce Planking.
Co. B,
One platoon erecting Butler Hanger #2. Remainder of Company
clearing mud and brushing sand on Runway #1 and #2.
Co. C,
One platoon grading, laying forms and pouring concrete
on new road central portion. One platoon erecting blister Hanger. Remainder
of the company on miscellaneous work on runways.
H&S Co.
Staff and Service functions and S-3 and A.D.E. section
working at the Airport.
Today the wind made it pretty rough for the S-3 and A.D.E.
section working with the transit and level. It was a crisp cold day, but
very windy. |
|
| 8 February 1944 |
| Kingston Bagpuize |
|
| Nothing new to add except that the same distribution
of men and work as yesterday. The Airport is beginning to look like something
now besides a mud hole. The mud has dried now except for a few fills. Both
Butler Hangers are nearing completion and the Blister Hangers are rapidly
taking shape. The new road (concrete is practically finished as far as
pouring concrete goes. With good weather and a little luck and if we keep
getting concrete fast enough it should be completed by the end of this
week. The Battalion is also to start building Ronney Huts soon. ADE and
S-3 sections are to start laying plans and surveying for them tomorrow.
Quite a few of these Huts are to be built. They are pretty well scattered
over the Airport. We have been fortunate lately as we have had good weather. |
|
| 9 February 1944 |
| Kingston Bagpuize |
|
| AIRPORT PROJECT
Co. A,
Half of the company working on grading and laying forms,
also pouring concrete on new road. Remainder of company brushing sand and
clearing mud from Runways.
Co. B,
Entire co. clearing mud from Runways and brushing sand
into pierced planking.
Co. C.
Two platoons clearing mud and brushing sand on Runways.
Remainder of company laying forms and pouring concrete on new road.
A.D.E. Section and S-3, Laying out foundation for Romney
huts.
H&S Co. On Staff and Service Functions.
The weather today was cloudy and cold.
At about 1510 we heard of a plane crash it was flashed
over to me by phone and I immediately called H&S Co. to notify Capt.
Doyle our medical officer. The story as I heard was that the plane was
an Artillery Observation (Cub type) plane. The pilots name I could not
get but one of our officers was also in the plane. Coming in to land the
plane was caught in a downward draft and hit nose down. It immediately
caught fire and men ran from all directions to help put the fire out and
take the two men to safety. Lt. Col. Van Atta our C.O. was the first one
to arrive at the scene of the Crash. Capt. Doyle said the pilot may not
live whereas Lt. Helstrom may have a fractured jaw. The fine points of
the crash are yet to be known. |
|
| 10 February 1944 |
| Kingston Bagpuize |
|
Co. A,
Half of the company working on now concrete Road. Remainder
of company doing miscellaneous work on Runways.
Co. B,
Entire company clearing mud, brushing sand and digging
French drains on Runways.
Co. C,
Half of company working on erection of Blister Hanger
#1. Remainder of company working on the new road, also still pouring concrete.
ADE & S-3 Section still on various jobs out on the
airfield.
H&S Co. On Staff and Service functions.
The weather today was clear and cold. |
|
| 11 February 1944 |
| Kingston Bagpuize |
|
| AIRPORT PROJECT
Co. A,
Two platoons of this company are working on roads to
the airport. One platoon doing miscellaneous work on runways.
Co. B,
Entire company clearing mud and brushing sand on runways.
Co. C,
Two platoons erecting Blister Hangers. One platoon on
miscellaneous work on runways.
ADE & S-3 Section: Still surveying on various jobs
at the airport.
H&S CO. On Staff and service functions.
The weather today was clear and warm.
Major Steele of the 204th Engrs paid the Bn
a visit today.
Col. Carter of First Army (Engineer) paid us a call and
also inspected the camp site and the airport. |
|
| 12 February 1944 |
| Kingston Bagpuize |
|
| AIRPORT PROJECT
Co. A,
One Platoon of this company is pouring concrete on the
new road, forms are all laid and this section of the road is near completion.
The north end is yet to be graded and the concrete is yet to be poured.
One platoon is grading and laying forms for the foundation and floor of
one Romney Hut. This hut is similar to the Nissen Hut but much larger in
size and is used for storage. There will be approximately ten of the Romney
huts assembled. Remainder of the company is brushing sand into runway and
filling in the low spots.
Co. B,
One platoon working on Butler Hanger. This hanger is
near completion as far as the steel framework is concerned. A squad of
this company has started laying steel planking on a hard standing near
the Operations building. These hard standings are parking places for Fighter
Planes. The remainder of the company is working on the runways, brushing
sand and filling in the low spots. The heavy rains wa had a short while
back has nearly ruined the runways, a lot more work is going to be required
putting them back in shape once more.
Co. C,
Two platoons are assembling Blister Hangers, one is near
completion, the other was just recently started. Remainder of the company
is doing miscellaneous work on the runways.
H&S Co.
Regular staff and service functions.
The weather today was clear and warm. |
|
| 13 February 1944 |
| Kingston Bagpuize |
|
| AIRPORT PROJECT
Due to the high priority this Airport Project has recently
been given, the battalion has gone all out for work. A seven day week schedule
has been put into force for everyone. The place is looking more and more
like an airport everyday, the weather having been fairly decent for the
past few days. The snow we had Thursday melted and left everything pretty
wet for awhile, but now the mud is drying up and work is going full speed.
The weather is still brisk but just right for good working conditions.
The miscellaneous work being done on the runways at present is the result
of rains and bad weather. The steel planking has to be lifted via crane
or wrecker and sand sifted through in order to fill in the low spots which
would be underwater if it should rain very hard. Constant traffic on the
runways, while the ground was wet, has caused mud holes and slushes in
the runway base.
The Butler Hanger has been finished as far as erection
is concerned . The canvas still has to be drawn and the floors sanded and
graded. The Blister hanger is also near completion, canvas having to be
drawn and floor to be graded. Due to the lack of wrenches of proper size
a lot of bolts still need tightening.
The central and southern end of the new cut-in road is
completed, with the northern and needing filling and grading and concrete
yet to be poured.
Co A.
One Platoon miscellaneous work on runaways. One platoon
pouring concrete foundation and flooring of Romney Hut. Remainder of company
on the new road, completing central and southern portion.
Co B.
One Platoon completing the erection of the Butler Hanger
and making preparations for lifting the canvas cover. One platoon laying
straw and pierced plank on the hard standings. The use of straw is merely
and experiment, usually sand is spread out, rolled, then the pierced planking
is laid on the hard surface, the new method is being tried to do away with
the excessive moisture.
Co C.
Two platoons erecting the two Blister Hangers. Remainder
of company working on the runaways.
H&S Co.
Same work each day for this company, Staff |
| Sections still surveying, using the Transit and Level
constantly. |
|
| 14 February 1944 |
| Kingston Bagpuize |
|
| AIRPORT PROJECT
Co A.
1st Platoon on the new road, most of the forms
are now laid, with a little more grading to be done. The battleneck secure
enough cement at any one time. The 2nd Platoon is still very
much occupied on the runways. The 3rd Platoon is still split
up half pouring concrete floors for Romney Hute and the remainder of the
platoon helping the 1st platoon on the roads.
Co B.
1st Platoon is split up with half working
on the run ways and the remainder building hard standings. The third Hard
standing with straw is now completed, the remainder of them will not have
straw on them. The hard standings. The third Platoon is assembling ropes
and pulleys making preparations to raine the canvas cover on one of the
Blister Hangers.
Co C.
First Platoon on runways doing the same type of work
. The second and third platoons are erecting blister hangers. The first
one is finished but a lot of bolts need tightening. The second hanger is
gradually taking shape.
H&S Co.
Still the same old grind of Staff and Service functions
with a little extra night training in compass problems, hikes, scouting
and patrolling put in for the soldier who doesn't find time to keep his
bunk and equipment in a neat and orderly fashion.
The weather today has been very cloudy with the usual
threats of rain. |
|
| 15 February 1944 |
| Kingston Bagpuize |
|
| AIRPORT PROJECT
Co. A
One platoon on northern end of new road. There is still
a lot of grading to be done here. Using two graders and a bull-dozer for
this work. The men are laying forms for concrete and putting drains across
road bed. One platoon clearing mud and brushing sand on the runways. One
Platoon is split up, eleven men working on the follr of Romney Hud, the
remainder of the company on the runways with the second platoon.
Co. B.
One platoon on runways clearing mud and brushing sand.
One platoon laying pierced pland on the hard standings. One platoon making
preparations for raising the canvas cover on the butler Hanger.
Co. C.
One platoon working on the runways. Two platoons working
on the two blister hangers, one on each.
H&S Co.
Still performing Staff and service functions.
The weather was cool and cloudy all day, with a light
rain late in the evening. |
|
| 16 February 1944 |
| Kingston Pagpuze |
|
| AIRPORT PROJECT
Work at the airport is practically at a standstill today
due to the very hard rains last night and nearly all day today. Rains such
as this is really something to slow up the wheels of industry, and makes
a lot more work before work can be started again.
H&S Co.
Staff and Service functions. |
|
| 17 February 1944 |
| Kingston Bagpuze |
|
| The 342nd Engr Regt has raised the canvas
on one of the Butler Hangers making almost a complete job on one of the
hangers. The men on our Butler should be raising their canvas tomorrow,
weather permitting. The rains of yesterday has raised havoc with the runways
once more, following is the disposition of the company:
Co. A.
First platoon pouring concrete on the now road and getting
right along with it. The Second platoon is working on the runway and getting
right along with it in spite of the rains and they are looking pretty good.
The third platoon is still split with one squad working on Romney huts,
taking down forms and making preparation for the erection. A squad is on
the roads with the first platoon and a squad is on the runways with the
second platoon.
Co. B.
First and the Second platoons are on the runways. The
third platoon is on the butler hanger, arranging ropes and canvas getting
ready to raise the canvas roof.
Co. C.
First plat on is working on the runways. The second and
the third platoon is working on Blister Hangers. The work is going quite
slow because of the dangerous going on the wet steel, however the sheeting
is going up on the first blister.
H&S Co.
Staff and Service functions, with the ADE and S-3 still
surveying for the new Romney Huts.
The weather is somewhat clearer but quite cold. |
|
| 18 February 1944 |
| Kingston Bagpuze |
|
| AIRPORT PROJECT
Co. A.
First and Second platoons are working on the north end
of the new road. The concrete is coming in weary satisfactorily now, if
weather permits and concrete keeps coming the road should be finished the
first part of next week. The Third Platoon is working on the northern end
of runway No 2, clearing mud, leveling and brushing sand.
Co. B.
First and Second platoons are working on the northern
end of runway No 1, the 342nd Engr Regt has one company here
also, so now it will be shaping up rather fast. The Third platoon is arranging
ropes and pulleys almost ready to raise the Canvas roof.
Co. C.
The entire company is working on the Blister Hangers,
the sheeting on No 1 Hanger is about one-half finished. The No 2 Hanger
is not as yet completed as far as erection of the steel is concerned due
to the shortage of materials.
H&S Co.
Still Staff and Service functions. The S-4 Section of
Bn Hq is preparing for the necessary equipment for the Bns new home.
The weather is quite clear but very cold. |
|
| 19 February 1944 |
| Kingston Bagpuze |
|
| AIRPORT PROJECT
Co. A.
First and Second Platoons are still on the new concrete
road and coming right along with the work, they are very near to completion
now. Third platoon is still on the runway No 2, leveling and brushing sand.
The job looks very good.
Co B.
First platoon is leveling and brushing sand on runway
No 1, they are being assisted by one Company of 342nd Engrs.
The Second platoon is out at the new campsite at Clifton Heath doing general
cleanup work and regular details before the troops are ready to move in.
The third platoon is starting to raise the canvas for the roof.
Co. C.
The entire company is busy finishing up the Blister Hangers.
The first is very near to completion and the second is coming right along
with nearly half of the sheet metal siding on.
H&S Co.
Staff and Service functions with the ADE Section and
the S-3 Section of Bn Hq very busy with the surveying. Lt Pierce who has
just recently returned from Gasschool is now taking over the surveying
angle.
The weather is slightly cloudy with the sun shining every
now and then. |
|
| 20 February 1944 |
| Kingston Bagpuze |
|
| AIRPORT PROJECT
Co. A.
The first, second and part of the third platoon is very
busy trying to finish the job of straightening out the bad spots in Runway
No 2. The balance of the third platoon is busy laying out and leveling
sites for the additional Romney huts.
Co. B.
Forst and Second platoon busy clearing the Cliften Heath
Camp site also setting up tents and various other installations. Third
platoon still putting the canvas skin on the now almost complete Butler
Hanger.
Co. C.
The entire company is busy on the Blister Hangers now
putting the roof on Hanger No 2.
H&S Co.
Still staff and service functions with the usual surveying
projects under way. S-4 is working like mad trying to get the necessary
equipment ou th the new camp site, a real job with the shortage of transportation,
a very common handicap in this theater. |
|
| 21 February 1944 |
| Kingston Bagpuze |
|
| AIRPORT PROJECT |
|
Co A.
First Platoon still on the new road at the Northern end
of the new airport, doing grading and pouring of the cement. The Second
Platoon is out at the the new camp site getting ready for the troops to
move in, erecting tents, clearing and etc. The Third Platoon is busy on
the Romney Huts on the airport they are just erecting the framework for
one new hut after having laid the foundation.
Co. B.
The First and the Second Platoons are out at the new
camp site getting the area in shape for the troops, while the Third Platoon
is still on the airport moving in dirt and grading the floor of the Butler
Hanger. They have finished with the canvas roof and are erecting the canvas
walls.
Co. C.
The First Platoon of this Company is doing miscellaneous
work on the Blister Hanger such as laying pierced Plank floor, grading,
sheeting the sidewall and etc. The Second and Third platoons are also busy
on the Blister Hangers erecting the walls and doing the sheeting.
H&S Co.
Staff and Service functions with the S-4 section still
very busy drawing the necessary supplies and equipment for the new area.
The weather is fairly clear but very cold. |
|
| 22 February 1944 |
| Kingston Bagpuze |
|
| AIRPORT PROJECT |
Co. A.
The first and Second Platoons are busy on the new road
and also the new Romney Huts. The road is almost completed. The new hut
that was just started yesterday is shaping up very rapidly. The Third platoon
is still located out at the new camp site and will stay there until joined
by the rest of the company.
Co. B.
The First and Second platoons are out at the new camp
site erecting the tents and the general cleanup jobs are also theirs until
they are rejoined by the rest of the company. This company is also running
the kitchen to feed the men of the 150th that is now out there
for various incidental jobs. The Third platoon is still busy on the Butler
Hanger and have it near completion.
Co C.
The entire company is very busy trying to complete the
Blister Hanger that has been taking up so much of their time. The job is
very close to completion and very well done.
H&S Co.
S-4 has pretty well finished the task of getting necessary
supplies out to the new camp site. The S-3 section has finished the surveying
on the new airport and is now occupied with job of drawing a drawing of
the new area. It would appear that the line companies have pretty well
licked the question of a seven day week since they have worked out the
plan of letting a squad of men off each day on a twenty-four hour pass,
the only company that seems to be hard pressed is H&S Co.
The weather is beautiful this AM
Clear and sunny. |
|
| 23 February 1944 |
| Kingston Bagpuze |
|
| AIRPORT PROJECT |
| The project is very near to completion with both the
Butler Hangers completed and the Three Blister Hangers very nearly finished.
The Concrete road is all but finished, with all the concrete poured now
comes removal of the forms and the final grading. All companies are working
together to finish up this job by the end of the month.
The weather was a bit cloudy this morning but by afternoon
the sun came out and it turned fairly warm. |
|
| 24 February 1944 |
| Kingston Bagpuze |
|
| AIRPORT PROJECT |
| All companies are very busy today with parts of each
company out at the new area. In the new area B Co is running the mess and
doing a fine job of it by all reports.
The Airport is gradually shaping up to what it should
be, with some pierced planking yet to be laid on the hard standings and
the taxiways, there grading yet to be done on the new road and a few Romney
huts to be built which is to be used as supply huts for the air forcow.
The runways and Hangers are all finished.
The weather is clear and very cold. |
|
| 25 February 1944 |
| Kingston Bagpuze |
|
| AIRPORT PROJECT |
| The work on the airport is coming along in fine shape
with all projects coming near to completion. The grading on the new road
is nearly finished and the Romney Huts are coming along in fine shape,
begins to look like the job will be finished by the end of the month as
far as the 150th is concerned.
The new area is practically ready to receive its additional
personnel and the S-3 section has a drawing of the area very nearly completed,
a fine piece of work, worked out to the exact scale.
The weather today has been fairly warm with clouds and
light mists at night. |
|
| 26 February 1944 |
| Kingston Bagpuze |
|
| AIRPORT PROJECT |
| Only a very little work left for the 150th
is concerned. The work on the Blister Hangers is very nearly done with
only a little grading left to do. The concrete road will not be entirely
completed by this unit, the work will be taken over by the Air Ministry
and finished with civilian workmanship.
There is a lot of work left to be done in the new area
at Clifton Heath. More than one would realize.
The weather is fairly cold with a light snow. |
|
| 27 February 1944 |
| Kingston Bagpuze |
|
| AIRPORT PROJECT |
| Today being Sunday there is no work, the first rest day
in nearly a month. Most of the men have gone into Oxford on pass.
The weather quite warm and a little cloudy. |
|
| 28 February 1944 |
| Kingston Bagpuze |
|
| AIRPORT PROJECT |
| Very few men and working on the airport due to the anticipated
move, most men are packing equipment and doing general police duty. There
is nearly two platoons still working on the grading around the Blister
Hangers.
The weather is quite cool and cloudy. |